Former Hawaii point guard Shaquille Stokes, a native of Coney Island, N.Y., is planning to transfer closer to home and continue his college career at Hofstra.

Stokes, who averaged 8.4 points and 2.2 assists as a freshman for the Warriors, will have three years of eligibility remaining. He is returning home in part to be near his ill grandmother, and he plans to appeal to the NCAA for a hardship waiver in the hopes of being eligible to play during the 2012-13 season.

Shaquille Stokes is transferring to Hofstra to be closer to home. (AP Photo)

“It felt like the best situation for me,” Stokes told SportsNet New York. “My family loved the visit. The coaches are an unbelievable coaching staff with great fire and passion to change the program around. It felt like (high school) all over again walking through the doors.

“I’m going to be a more complete player and show people that I can bring more to the table besides scoring like running a team and just doing anything to win games."

And Hofstra could use a talent boost. The Pride went 10-22 last season, including 3-15 in the CAA, and must replace the graduating Mike Moore and Nathaniel Lester, who averaged 34.5 points last season.